Eviction Nightmare

VortecJeep said:
Do the same things apply for an airbnb or vrbo?
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Same situation applies. Many of these places email you a "rental agreement" separate of Airbnb. These are prime opportunity for squatting.

A standard guest, staying at a airbnb and all they have is a airbnb receipt - they are tresspassers the moment they refuse to leave.

A few users have gotten screwed over by people who booked for a month. They then used that month to get official mail, draft a fake rental agreement, and go get bank account and DL updated. Then squatted.
 
ckruzer said:
You should have provided a "service" to a "transient occupant" for a set period, payment upfront. And such should have been on paper, and there should have been a clause that acknowledged and agreed the non use of the address for any purposes, including the use of bank/utility/DL/etc accounts. The moment you wanted them gone they would have been trespassers if they refused to leave
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You also then have to comply with all hotel ordinances for safety, ADA, signage etc.
 
Ron said:
You also then have to comply with all hotel ordinances for safety, ADA, signage etc.
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Thats only true if its "public lodging". If you have not made any "public offers" then its "private lodging" and such ordinances do not apply
 
Y'all need to stop. Or I need to stop looking at all this mess. I'm gonna have nightmares about my tenants that are moving in this minute. Agghgah. I debated on discussing all this with the wife.

I guess I have been truly blessed with one fella for going on 15 years. Shoot, last week he called said the Heat went out. He couldn't reach me. (We have great trust as I worked cash jobs for him when I was upside down in my first marriage trails)
Any who, he contacted my preferred professional and set the appointment, paid the bill in cash, and then got up with me.

Why can't everyone be half as decent?
 
rodney eppes said:
I recently heard some advise a Reality man told. It concerned squatters, & rentals gone bad. If the squatters or move-ins, don't have a contract to be there, get a friend to sign an rental agreement on the place. That makes Him [or her], the Legal Tenant, & he can have the Sherriff evict them. That somehow is suppose to circumvent all the BS, & have the persons evicted without all the court shit & months of waiting. Maybe this will help someone else, in the future.
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I've heard the same thing and chuckled.

I've also heard of a slum landlord back in the 70s/80s that would collect rent weekly and if you didn't pay would cut a 'door' in an outside wall with a chainsaw in the dead of winter or summer, hang a sheet over it & say he was headed to town to get the door. He'd just go home and swing by next Sunday to collect the next rent payment. After 2 new 'doors', then he'd start the eviction process.
 
ckruzer said:
You should have provided a "service" to a "transient occupant" for a set period, payment upfront. And such should have been on paper, and there should have been a clause that acknowledged and agreed the non use of the address for any purposes, including the use of bank/utility/DL/etc accounts. The moment you wanted them gone they would have been trespassers if they refused to leave
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Real easy to see what I "should" have done in hind sight. I had hoped they would just go on their way. I tried to do it the nice and civil way at first.
Either way what's done is done now.


I have completely given up on the legal system. Today I went by again, and they had ripped the front glass door off the hinges, intentionally clogged the toilet with paper towels and took a huge dump on top of it. It looks like a tornado ran thru the house. They picked it clean, down to most of the dishes and food in the cabinets. My mom's bathroom was raided looking for pills or anything I suppose. I called the sheriff to ask if they'd scheduled the padlock yet, they said no. Again. I had called yesterday as well. So then they called me back and said they wanted to schedule it for February 7th.....

I was pretty irritated by this point. I said "SIR!, that's ANOTHER week. They're robbing me blind and damaging the property! Do you see my frustration, I know you don't make the rules and are doing your job but come on man, I am the only one getting screwed here. I am the one losing, I am the one who's the law abiding tax paying citizen and I'm the only one getting the shaft here!!"
He was pretty unapologetic and just asked if I wanted to continue with the order or cancel.

I went ahead and changed the locks. I'm done with these dead beat losers man. I cannot believe we live in a world where folks like us can get bent over and dry gouged so bad at every single turn.
 
77GreenMachine said:
Real easy to see what I "should" have done in hind sight. I had hoped they would just go on their way. I tried to do it the nice and civil way at first.
Either way what's done is done now.


I have completely given up on the legal system. Today I went by again, and they had ripped the front glass door off the hinges, intentionally clogged the toilet with paper towels and took a huge dump on top of it. It looks like a tornado ran thru the house. They picked it clean, down to most of the dishes and food in the cabinets. My mom's bathroom was raided looking for pills or anything I suppose. I called the sheriff to ask if they'd scheduled the padlock yet, they said no. Again. I had called yesterday as well. So then they called me back and said they wanted to schedule it for February 7th.....

I was pretty irritated by this point. I said "SIR!, that's ANOTHER week. They're robbing me blind and damaging the property! Do you see my frustration, I know you don't make the rules and are doing your job but come on man, I am the only one getting screwed here. I am the one losing, I am the one who's the law abiding tax paying citizen and I'm the only one getting the shaft here!!"
He was pretty unapologetic and just asked if I wanted to continue with the order or cancel.

I went ahead and changed the locks. I'm done with these dead beat losers man. I cannot believe we live in a world where folks like us can get bent over and dry gouged so bad at every single turn.
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I'm ignorant here. What do you mean by padlock?
Didn't you say they moved on? At the first opportunity I would not just change the locks, I'd make the place look like hurricane season at the coast. Plywood over all entrances. And a couple cameras on cell alert to my direct line. A back up hidden camera for every obvious one at that.
No trespassing signs posted with the consistency you want Google to see it from Mars. After all that anything further on any person's part should be a criminal act.
My heart goes out to you because of all this trouble. At the moment that place was found empty the old battery powered Milwaukee army would go to work.
 
As much fuckery as you have delt with your gonna have a hell of a time even doing clean up and rehabilitation of the house. Probably without someone monitoring the place or living out back during the work if you choose, that place is target number uno!
By this time I probably would have had your camper parked in the front yard and the power and sewer hooked on.
"You bored kiddo? Grab that 12 gauge and watch the drive way!" ........in jest but it's where my head is at.
 
This story is like many I've heard over the years. It's infuriating just to read it. I'm shocked we don't see weekly news articles of people being shot for squatting, as the system pushes property owners to extreme levels of frustration. I'm very sorry you had to go through this.
 
at what point does squatting start and stop? What is to keep a property owner from “inviting a squatter to dinner” at a location far enough away that it would be a hassle to get back. Leave them there. Go back, change locks, secure the property and put up no trespassing signs. Then defending your domicile with firepower if needed.

Sure you may have to put up with crackhead for 4-5 hours and a few hundred miles, but it would be worth it. The only trick is to make them willingly go. Find their currency, intice them.
 
YotaOnRocks said:
I'm shocked we don't see weekly news articles of people being shot for squatting
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If you're any good at it, you won't EVER "hear" about it. I mean....or so I've heard
 
mbalbritton said:
at what point does squatting start and stop? What is to keep a property owner from “inviting a squatter to dinner” at a location far enough away that it would be a hassle to get back. Leave them there. Go back, change locks, secure the property and put up no trespassing signs. Then defending your domicile with firepower if needed.

Sure you may have to put up with crackhead for 4-5 hours and a few hundred miles, but it would be worth it. The only trick is to make them willingly go. Find their currency, intice them.
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As it sounds crackheads are just the tip. My head plays out that folks do this many ways. Pay a few months, years, two weeks then just turn off their perceived obligation contract signed or non existent. Sounds like the worst who are educated and not addicted to a substance live like any other person. Meaning they have household goods clothes the works. I'm reading between the lines. With all the rights supporting squatters the landlord is then in trouble for confiscating property and stealing from them.
 
WARRIORWELDING said:
I'm ignorant here. What do you mean by padlock?
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That's what they call it, but that is the process of the Sheriff coming out and physically removing the evicted (if need be) and then witnessing me change the locks. THEN, I would have to give the evicted to come back for their stuff within 5 days.

Since they have already left, I have decided to forgo waiting till the 7th to have them come and witness me changing the locks. I did that yesterday.
 
77GreenMachine said:
That's what they call it, but that is the process of the Sheriff coming out and physically removing the evicted (if need be) and then witnessing me change the locks. THEN, I would have to give the evicted to come back for their stuff within 5 days.

Since they have already left, I have decided to forgo waiting till the 7th to have them come and witness me changing the locks. I did that yesterday.
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Ah, so legalize. An actual documented barring of the doors. So in respect to it being all a formality my previous suggestion of closing off the entrances would make me a criminal? It is a serious question btw?
Sarcasm font isn't on, lol.
 
77GreenMachine said:
That's what they call it, but that is the process of the Sheriff coming out and physically removing the evicted (if need be) and then witnessing me change the locks. THEN, I would have to give the evicted to come back for their stuff within 5 days.

Since they have already left, I have decided to forgo waiting till the 7th to have them come and witness me changing the locks. I did that yesterday.
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Could changing the locks let them forgo any charges if they break and enter? I doubt that would happen, but it sparks curiosity. I think you did the right thing though.
 
This really sucks for the OP.

My wife was recently talking about buying some houses to rent. I wasn't interested then. I am definitely not interested after reading this.
 
WARRIORWELDING said:
Ah, so legalize. An actual documented barring of the doors. So in respect to it being all a formality my previous suggestion of closing off the entrances would make me a criminal? It is a serious question btw?
Sarcasm font isn't on, lol.
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Not exactly. I have done just this. The property is locked up now and they cannot enter. However, by law I am required to let them get their things. The problem is they have taken all of MY things.
I have now opened myself up to being sued if they claim I took or damaged any of their "things" that they have not finished removing.
If it goes that far, I'll pay a lawyer any amount to make sure they don't get a dime for me. At this point I'm struggling greatly to be Christ like and "Turn the other cheek" and I'm about ready to throw hands. I am managing well but honestly starting to feel like a volcano that could erupt at any moment. And that's mostly due to our legal system.
 
It isn’t just the crackeheads that do it. A good friend of mine owns probably 30-40 rentals. He said of all the tenants he’s had, a lawyer renting from him screwed him over the worst. He knew the laws and pretty much squatted in a rental for a year or better. Walked out without back paying my buddy a dime. It’s a broken system for sure. I hate it for you @77GreenMachine. They’ll get theirs at some point.
 
drkelly said:
This really sucks for the OP.

My wife was recently talking about buying some houses to rent. I wasn't interested then. I am definitely not interested after reading this.
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I would still do it. But I would only do it with proper rental agreements. Most of the time if people pay 1 months rents plus a deposit, and they move into a crisp, fresh clean place that’s nice they will keep it nice.
If they move into a dump they assume you don’t care, so they don’t care.
As I said this a direct result of the low life’s that my mom kept around. This is only one instance of the last 30 years of this crap. Only this time I don’t get to walk away say it ain’t my problem.

Buy the rentals, contract with @Hoodw!nk and let him manage them, collect checks and never even meet the tenants. Retire.
 
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Wes said:
It isn’t just the crackeheads that do it. A good friend of mine owns probably 30-40 rentals. He said of all the tenants he’s had, a lawyer renting from him screwed him over the worst. He knew the laws and pretty much squatted in a rental for a year or better. Walked out without back paying my buddy a dime. It’s a broken system for sure. I hate it for you @77GreenMachine. They’ll get theirs at some point.
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Yeah it’s shocking how sometimes it is “upstanding folks” that do it.
But I’d also bet that over the years, that hasn’t happened all that much and he’s probably good more good and okay tenant stories than bad.
 
77GreenMachine said:
I would still do it. But I would only do it with proper rental agreements. Most of the time if people pay 1 months rents plus a deposit, and they move into a crisp, fresh clean place that’s nice they will keep it nice.
If they move into a dump they assume you don’t care, so they don’t care.
As I said this a direct result of the low life’s that my mom kept around. This is only one instance of the last 30 years of this crap. Only this time I don’t get to walk away say it ain’t my problem.

By the rentals, contract with @Hoodw!nk and let him manage them, collect checks and never even meet the tenants. Retire.
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This is my h ad space. My wife kept saying it's just rental. I kept saying it does need to me top shelf. It need to be nice enough the people we select feel somewhat invested in a very decent living arrangement. I feel like slum lord attitude will get slum lord results. Just some people are not worth the air they consume at any level of existence. Well I guess they serve as the polar opposite of good.
 
WARRIORWELDING said:
This is my h ad space. My wife kept saying it's just rental. I kept saying it does need to me top shelf. It need to be nice enough the people we select feel somewhat invested in a very decent living arrangement. I feel like slum lord attitude will get slum lord results. Just some people are not worth the air they consume at any level of existence. Well I guess they serve as the polar opposite of good.
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Exactly this. Slum lord mentality attracts scum bags.

I would love to have great folks in there with an incentive like pay on time all year, get one month half off or something.

Everyone talks about the scenario that just happened to me. Many of you will repeat it to others. But not often do you hear about the good story where someone rented a place for 2+ years with no real issues and when they moved you just had to replace the carpet, fresh paint and repeat the cycle. That’s just business, that was the hope/expectation so no one talks about it like this.

The nicer the rental unit, the better the tenants you attract. Not always, of course there’s exceptions.
 
drkelly said:
This really sucks for the OP.

My wife was recently talking about buying some houses to rent. I wasn't interested then. I am definitely not interested after reading this.
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Unless he's changed focus, @BIGWOODY had dozens of rentals... since he doesn't strike me as a "turn the other cheek" guy (especially involving money), I can only assume he had/has all those bases covered to protect against said douche bags?
 
From my experience...the trash that Phillip just dealt with is frustrating but not the real danger. The real danger is the professional tenant in an upscale neighborhood. Those can absolutely destroy you if you aren't 100% on your shit.

My strategy with rentals (and I'm down quite a few. I peaked at 18 properties and 24 doors/26 contracts)
I wanted the nicest home at my price point. If I was in a starter neighborhood or mill house that was $1,200 a month I wanted granite when everyone else had formica. Or if I was in a neighborhood I wanted to be $-100 month cheaper. Dive a bunch of applicants and screen the absolute hell out of them. Meet them to show the property. If you get a bad vibe, just reject 'em. Try to rent to good people. Try never to rent people who keep having unlucky breaks. This sounds harsh...but when you meet someone who seemingly has all their shit together but - my spouse cheated on me and my brother stole my car - or ran up a credit card...or or or....as soon as there are multiple bad things happening to them from others - I'm out. The problem then is you and hat you allow or dont plan for.

In low end rentals - my absolute 100% best tenants have almost exclusively been hispanic. They have pride in their home, they pay on time, frequently fix small things or make improvements without even asking. I have 6 hispanic tenants currently. All have legal documents...and as far as I know are legal citizens. I am not talking about illegals where 24 dudes pile in a 2 bedroom. But man there is an old school mentality to them that I respect. It isn't perfect. Fawk the week of Christmas I had a tenant shoot a hole in a trailer I own. They got drunk and were plinking budweiser cans off a saw horse with a 22 (trailer is on an acre but backs up to a large wood tract they were shooting legally cowboy Juan shot the damn trailer. They called me the next morning apologetic for disrespecting my house with photos and asked me to please not evict them and they would patch the hole and reside the entire trailer in vinyl. That was a good story.

There was also the dude who flushed his girlfriends shirt so his wife wouldnt find it and left...and the flapper apparently hung and....that was a bad story but its been 5 years ago.

If you cant emotionally detach from the home and separate the business from your feelings dont be a landlord.
 
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